salaryPittsburgh is the 2nd-largest city in Pennsylvania that we track, with 304,759 residents. Rent is lower than in 52% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $64,840 a year. That is $31 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Pennsylvania cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Pennsylvania. It is number 192 of 269 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Pittsburgh with other big cities
Compare Pittsburgh to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Pittsburgh?
Share of households by yearly income. 23.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Pittsburgh
| Size | Pittsburgh | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,256 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,226 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,484 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,697 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,897 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Pittsburgh overall?
Everyday prices in the Pittsburgh metro area are 5% below the U.S. average (index 94.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Pittsburgh
Life in Pittsburgh
What jobs pay in Pittsburgh
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $134,180 | 14.5% |
| Lawyer | $133,040 | 14.6% |
| Physician Assistant | $125,230 | 15.5% |
| Software Developer | $124,500 | 15.6% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $119,630 | 16.3% |
| Operations Manager | $100,840 | 19.3% |
| Civil Engineer | $100,680 | 19.3% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $98,550 | 19.7% |
| Police Officer | $83,190 | 23.4% |
| Registered Nurse | $82,370 | 23.6% |
| Accountant | $76,940 | 25.3% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $76,550 | 25.4% |
| Dental Hygienist | $75,960 | 25.6% |
| Firefighter | $72,230 | 26.9% |
| Plumber | $70,100 | 27.7% |
| Electrician | $69,340 | 28.1% |
| Market Research Analyst | $63,190 | 30.8% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $63,060 | 30.8% |
| HVAC Technician | $62,140 | 31.3% |
| Carpenter | $61,180 | 31.8% |
| Truck Driver | $57,880 | 33.6% |
| Nursing Assistant | $43,080 | 45.2% |
| Medical Assistant | $42,840 | 45.4% |
| Customer Service Representative | $42,790 | 45.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $41,830 | 46.5% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,130 | 53.8% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $35,470 | 54.8% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,840 | 63.1% |
| Cashier | $29,470 | 66.0% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Pittsburgh?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $193 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $205,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $20,580 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Pittsburgh, PA?
Renting in Pittsburgh costs a median of about $1,621 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Pennsylvania median is $1,367.
How much do I need to make to live in Pittsburgh?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $64,840 a year, or $31 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Pittsburgh cheap or expensive?
Pittsburgh is rated OK: rent takes 27.4% of the typical household income of $70,903. It ranks 192nd cheapest of 269 Pennsylvania cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Pittsburgh?
The median homeowner in Pittsburgh pays $1,822 a year in property taxes, about 0.89% of the median home value.
Is Pittsburgh more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 5% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Pittsburgh?
The median home value in Pittsburgh is $205,800, about 2.9 times the typical yearly household income.
304,759 people live in Pittsburgh. Numbers are typical (middle) values.